This is the story of Thomas Barrow.
Thomas Barrow has been working as the first footman at Downton Abbey for years. He's always been careful to keep his personal life hidden from the prying eyes of the other staff members and the Crawley family. Bu...
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Thomas woke up early on Ellie's first day of school, after turning four in November she is now old enough to go to school and he couldn't help feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. He had been looking forward to this day for so long, but at the same time, he couldn't shake off the feeling of worry that had been gnawing at him for weeks. He knew that sending Ellie to school was the right thing to do, but he couldn't help but feel anxious about how she would be treated by the other children and teachers.
He gently woke up Ellie, who was still sound asleep, and carefully lifted her out of bed and dressed her in her brand new school uniform. He put on her leg braces and shoes, knowing that she would need them to walk and move around at school.
As they walked down to the servants' kitchen, Thomas could feel his heart racing with anticipation. He knew that everyone in the house was excited for Ellie's first day at school, and he was grateful for their support. He had always been the first footman at Downton, but his most important role was being a father to Ellie.
As they walked through the servants' door and out into the crisp January morning, Thomas could feel the cold air biting at his skin. He wrapped his coat tighter around Ellie, holding her securely on his hip as they made their way toward the village.
When they arrived at the school, As they approached the school gates, Thomas knelt down in front of Ellie and took her small hands in his. He could see that she was nervous, her eyes darting around the playground as she clung tightly to her father.
Thomas takes her hand and squeezes it gently. "Don't worry, sweetheart. You're going to do great. And I'll be right here waiting for you when you're done."
As they enter the classroom, Ellie's teacher, Mrs. Brown, greets them warmly. "Hello there! And what's your name, sweetie?" she asks, looking down at Ellie.
Ellie takes a deep breath and looks up at her father for encouragement. Thomas smiles and nods, giving her the confidence to answer. "My name is E - Ellie Barrow," she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mrs. Brown crouches down to Ellie's level and smiles. "Well, hello Ellie! I'm Mrs. Brown. I'm so happy to meet you. Are you ready to start your first day of school?"
Ellie nods, still looking a bit unsure. Mrs. Brown takes her by the hand and leads her to an empty desk. "This is your seat, Ellie. This is your desk."
Thomas watched from the doorway, feeling a mix of emotions. He was proud of his daughter for being so brave, but he also knew that there would be challenges ahead. He just hoped that the other children would be kind to Ellie and that she would be able to make friends.
On the walk back to the Abbey, Thomas couldn't help but think about how different things were now than they had been over four years ago before Ellie was conceived and even more so long before that since 1912. He had been a troubled and angry struggling to come to terms with his own sexuality and place in the world. But now, he was a father - a single father at that - and his whole world revolved around Ellie and he felt much more like his true self that was much happier and content that started from the moment he heard her heartbeat for the first time, during his pregnancy, though of course not knowing at the time his baby was a girl until she was born, ultimately she had turned his life around, she was the missing piece in his life that he needed despite how she came to be.
Thomas knew that Ellie's condition affected every aspect of her life, from her ability to walk and run to her ability to communicate and learn. But he was determined to do everything in his power to give her the best life possible.
~
As the morning progresses, Thomas can't help but feel a sense of anxiety building up inside him. He worries about how Ellie will be treated, whether the other children will be kind to her, and whether the teachers will understand her needs. He feels helpless, wishing he could be there to protect her every step of the way.
As he stood alone in the servants' kitchen, nervously puffing on a cigarette. His mind was consumed with worry for his daughter.
He couldn't shake the fear that other children might be unkind to her or that she might struggle to fit in.
As he stood there lost in his thoughts, Anna entered the room and immediately noticed the worry etched on his face. She approached him with a gentle smile and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Thomas, is everything alright? You seem quite worried," Anna asked, her voice filled with concern.
Thomas took a long drag on his cigarette before responding. "With it being Ellie's first day at school I can't help but worry about her. She's my little girl, and I don't want anything to happen to her," he added.
Anna's expression softened, and she reached out to take Thomas's hand. "I understand how you feel, Thomas. But remember, Ellie is a strong and brave little girl, and she's lucky to have a father like you who loves her so much," she said, her tone filled with empathy.
Thomas nodded, but the worry still lingered in his mind. "I just don't want anyone to make fun of her or hurt her. She's so vulnerable, and I don't know if I can protect her from everything," he admitted.
Anna squeezed his hand gently, offering him a reassuring smile. "I know it's hard, but have faith. She's a smart, funny, and kind little girl, and I'm sure she'll make friends in no time. And if anyone does try to hurt her, you can be sure that we'll all be here to support you and stand by your side," she said, her words offering a glimmer of hope to Thomas.
Thomas's eyes softened, and he felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. He knew that Anna was right.
